ALESSIA
“Daddy Claude! You didn’t leave? Are you going to stay here with Mom and me?” Adrian cheerfully asked Claude as he arrived with Pia in the afternoon.
I bit my lip. Ever since Adrian met his father, he had become more talkative. His self-confidence seemed to have suddenly increased. Was it because he now knew he had a new ally to boast about to those who teased him about not having a father? Or was it simply his true nature finally emerging?
Claude bent down and lifted Adrian. “Yup, baby. I am waiting for you, and your mom is sick earlier, so someone had to take care of her.” Claude glanced at me, causing me to roll my eyes.
“When Mom gets better, will you go back to your house, Dad?” Adrian persisted.
Claude tousled his son’s hair. “Yes, baby. Daddy still has some work to do. But I’ll bring you and your mom next time I come here. But for now, I have to go home. Okay?”
Adrian’s face fell slightly. The decision whether we would go with Claude now or next time is now in my hands. I found it difficult to decide. I looked back and forth between my son and Claude, then at Pia, before making up my mind.
“Ah, we’ll go with Daddy next time. We still need to pack our things and get your school’s permission. Plus, Daddy needs to find a place for us to live,” I explained.
Adrian’s eyes lit up. “Really? We’re going with Daddy?”
“Next time, son. Not now,” I corrected him.
I noticed a broad smile on Claude’s lips. He seemed pleased with my decision.
Maybe it’s time to let go of my pride. I needed to accept Claude again, at least for the sake of our son. It wouldn’t be fair to Adrian if I continued to be stubborn. Besides, if I was going to give in to my husband, I might as well do it wholeheartedly.
I admit to myself that I missed my husband too. Our actions earlier, while Adrian and Pia were away, were proof of that. We had been intimate three times in the bedroom, once in the bathroom, and once in the kitchen before they arrived. I even had to change the bedsheets because Adrian’s bed got stained. Imagine releasing years’ worth of accumulated fluids? There must have been a lot. If those fluids were left to rot, they might have turned sour. I am not sure about Claude, though. He said he hadn’t been with another woman since we got married. That’s why he didn’t buy condoms anymore, even though he used to have a collection. He used to hide condoms in the drawers of his condo unit. He had a few boxes in his car and even in his office. He even kept some in his wallet. But he didn’t hide any condoms in the mansion because he never brought any women there. His mom would go berserk if he brought a woman to their home. The only woman who reached their mansion was me and Haven. The only difference was I am Claude’s wife, while Haven was just a friend.
Claude showed me a video earlier about the incident that happened in his condo. I realized that it was Haven who orchestrated the scenario. That woman is so annoying. Claude didn’t want her, but she kept insisting on herself.
It reminded me of Nienna and Jaime. I had tried to steal Jaime from his girlfriend before. But the man didn’t respond to me even when they broke up. It seemed like what Haven did to Claude was similar to what I did to Jaime. I got what I deserved, and that’s why we ended up getting divorced. Truly, there is no debt that goes unpaid.
My train of thought was interrupted when Pia suddenly spoke up.
“In that case, have you two reconciled?” Pia inquired.
“Yes, my wife and I are okay now,” Claude answered.
Pia smiled. “That’s good. I won’t worry about you two anymore if I end up going to Hongkong. Someone will take care of you and Adrian.”
“Is that true, Pia?” I asked incredulously.
The old woman nodded. “Yes, dear. In fact, my daughter told me to get my papers ready. He already sent me money for expenses. But I haven’t taken action yet because I’m worried about you and Adrian.”
I sighed. We needed to leave because we were becoming a burden to Pia. She is setting aside her own happiness just for us.
“All right. You can go with Remi. I know they also need you. You’ve done a lot for us. It would be embarrassing for Remi if you prioritized us over your own family.”
Pia approached me and squeezed my hands. “You and Adrian are family to me too. I know you need me more, so I chose to stay by your side.”
I hugged Pia, my nanny who raised me and now my son. I considered her almost like a mother. I was even closer to her than my own mother. She took care of me and Lia, but I was closer to her than with my own sister.
Claude also bid us farewell shortly after. He waited for Adrian to fall asleep before leaving. Our son was so tired that he fell asleep even though it was already four o’clock in the afternoon.
“You’ll be late on the road. What time do you think you’ll arrive home?” I asked Claude with concern.
“After two to three hours,” Claude replied.
I glanced at my watch. It was already half past four in the afternoon.
“Call me when you get home, okay?” I requested, unable to shake the worry I felt for my husband, even though I knew he is a good driver.
Claude smiled sweetly. “You’re worried about me, huh? You were just like that back when we were still in the mansion. You always asked the maids if I had arrived home and what time I got back.”